SU Drama and Syracuse Stage holiday collaboration celebrates ‘The Sound of Music’ beginning Nov. 29

SU Drama and Syracuse Stage holiday collaboration celebrates ‘The Sound of Music’ beginning Nov. 29November 28, 2005Jaime Winne Alvarez jlwinne@syr.edu

The Syracuse University Drama Department and Syracuse Stage will once again collaborate to celebrate the holiday season and ring in the New Year with a holiday production. This year, they will stage one of American theater’s most beloved musicals, “The Sound of Music,” in Syracuse Stage’s John D. Archbold Theatre, 820 East Genesee St.. The show opens Nov. 29 and runs through Jan. 8, 2006. It is a special collaboration between Syracuse Stage (not on subscription) and the SU Drama Department and is sponsored by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield of the Central New York region.

The ninth and final collaboration from the legendary team of composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, “The Sound of Music” is a family musical that transports audiences back to childhood with the story of the famous von Trapp family singers. The iconic tale of young Maria, who leaves her Salzburg abbey to become governess to the seven mischievous children of widower Captain Georg von Trapp, the musical first took the Broadway stage in 1959 with Mary Martin in the lead role. The movie version, starring Julie Andrews as Maria, was released six years later in 1965. Countless productions of “The Sound of Music,” based on the memoirs of the real-life Maria von Trapp, have since taken the stage, showcasing the unforgettable Rodgers and Hammerstein tunes, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi” and “Edelweiss.”

SU Drama Department faculty member Anthony Salatino directs and choreographs the show, with Dianne Adams McDowell as musical director. Salatino previously directed and choreographed the musicals “Peter Pan” and “West Side Story” at Syracuse Stage. He recently co-directed and choreographed the SU Drama Department’s production of “The Wild Party.”

“The story of Maria, the Captain and their singing children is as intimate to most of us as our own family history,” says Salatino. “The partnership of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein changed the destiny of the American musical theater.”

A newcomer to Syracuse Stage, actress Amanda Serkasevich will perform the lead role of Maria. Mark Pinter, also debuting at Syracuse Stage, will play opposite Serkasevich as Captain Georg von Trapp. Pinter will perform alongside his daughter Kelsey Crouch-Pinter, a senior in the SU Drama Department who will make her Syracuse Stage debut in the show’s ensemble.

Roxann Parker returns to Syracuse Stage to play Mother Abbess, after playing Mrs. Higgins in the spring production of “My Fair Lady.” SU Drama junior Jennifer Palleria and sophomore Joe Grandy will appear as young romantics Liesl and Rolf. Anne Kanengeiser will play Elsa Schraeder, Maria’s rival for the captain’s love. Jay Rogers will appear as the comedic Max Detweiler. Michele Tauber will play the von Trapps’ housekeeper, Frau Schmidt.

Local children will alternate in the roles of the six younger von Trapp siblings. Owen R.C. Dean and Eddie “Kingston” Powers will play Frederick; Camille Francis and Calli Rose Seigart will play Lousia; Jonathan Kozak and Mason Scott McDowell will play Kurt; Elizabeth V.C. Dean and Amanda Funiciello will play Brigitta; Kara Gantos and Sarah Lester will play Marta; and Savannah Harmon and Erin Whyland will play Gretl.

Ticket prices range from $19-$45 and are available by calling the Syracuse Stage Box Office at (315) 443-3275, or by visiting http://www.syracusestage.org.